Writing Dialogue Effectively (PPT, Student Handout, Assignment, Lesson Plan)

This is a great 60 minute creative writing lesson on writing effective dialogue.

You will get the following items:

1) A thorough PowerPoint presentation, which includes a sample assignment

2) A sample lesson plan

3) A student handout sheet to help them take notes and follow along in the presentation.

The PPT includes the following information/slides:

1) A real student sample (one that lacks good dialogue)

2) A revised sample of the student's work that includes improvements, so students can see how much more dynamic and interesting their writing can be with dialogue

3) Difference between direct speech vs. indirect speech

4) Grammar for quotation marks

5) Questions and answers for quotation marks grammar (Check for understanding)

6) Golden Rules for writing dialogue (e.g. starting a new paragraph when you have a new speaker, "said" is an invisible word, making certain characters' speech distinct etc.)

7) A written assignment for students to practice writing dialogue. (Note: I used this presentation in the middle of my Witches (Roald Dahl) unit, so the topic has to do with that book, but it can easily be modified to fit any other story/topic)

In addition, samples from popular texts are used to illustrate how various writers use dialogue strategies.